By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 29, 2025 15:01 PM • 110 views
Nepal marked its 100th international women's football match in sensational fashion on Sunday, demolishing Laos 9-0 in their opening game of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. The star of the evening was none other than skipper Sabitra Bhandari 'Samba', who netted a staggering five goals to inspire the team to one of its most dominant wins in recent memory. The Group F clash turned into a goal-fest led by Samba's ruthless finishing and a high-octane attacking performance from a resurgent Nepal side.
The Samba Symphony: A Captain's Masterclass
Wearing the captain's armband for the first time in a major tournament, Sabitra Bhandari embraced the moment with sheer authority. Her four-goal haul, including a hat trick completed in just over an hour, underscored her reputation as one of South Asia's finest finishers.
Her first came just before halftime—an expertly guided header off Anita Basnet's curling cross in the 44th minute—doubling Nepal's lead after Basnet had broken the deadlock in the 12th minute. The floodgates opened after the break, and Samba danced through the Laotian defence with clinical precision, scoring four more times in the 55th, 75th, 76th, and 88th minutes, the last aided by a deflection off a Lao defender.
With 62 goals in 59 appearances, Samba's legend continues to grow with each outing, and Sunday's masterclass may go down as her finest yet.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Samba stole the spotlight, Nepal's all-round performance was electric. Midfielder Saru Limbu, ever the engine in the centre of the park, bagged a goal in her 50th international match with a close-range strike early in the second half, converting after Rashmi Ghising missed Sabita Rana Magar's whipped cross. Rashmi herself found the net moments later with a tidy finish off a Renuka Nagarkote assist, while substitute Anita KC joined the scoring party in the 83rd minute to cap off a complete offensive display. Preeti Rai, Puja Rana, and Rekha Poudel also made meaningful contributions after coming off the bench. Coach Patrick making his competitive debut on the touchline—he couldn't have asked for a better start to his tenure. His substitutions kept Nepal's attacking tempo alive and allowed key players some rest ahead of crucial group matches.
A Historic Century Match
This wasn't just a win—it was a milestone. The match marked Nepal women's 100th official international appearance, and the players responded in style. From slick passing sequences to devastating counter-attacks, Nepal controlled every phase of play and ensured the milestone was celebrated with substance. More than just three points, this emphatic win sends a clear message to Group F opponents Sri Lanka and hosts Uzbekistan: Nepal is here not just to participate but to dominate.
What's Next?
Nepal will now turn their attention to Sri Lanka, with eyes firmly set on securing qualification to the next round. But for today, this moment belongs to Samba, the goal-hungry captain who danced her way into the hearts of fans—and the record books.
